Awards/Prizes & Judging

Research Day 2013 Awards & Prizes:

1. Abstract & Poster Awards: Doctoral Candidates-only

(Abstract, Poster, + Short Presentation; Faculty TBD Committee Judges)

• First-place ($200 – 2, $100 Visa gift cards)
• Second-place ($100 Visa gift card)
• Third-place ($50 Visa gift card)
• 2 Honorable Mention ($30 University of MN Bookstore gift card)

2. Abstract & Poster Awards: Master’s Students-only

(Abstract, Poster, + Short Presentation; RAH Committee Judges)

• First-place ($200 – 2, $100 Visa gift cards)
• Second-place ($100 Visa gift card)
• Third-place ($50 Visa gift card)
• 2 Honorable Mention ($30 University of MN Bookstore gift card)

3. People’s Choice Awards

(Poster-only; Voted by attendees from 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m.)

• First-place ($50 University of MN Bookstore gift card)
• Second-place ($25 University of MN Bookstore gift card)

4. Participants Raffle: Non-competing Students-only

(Abstract + Day-of Participation; Eligible ONLY to students who do NOT present to the judges, mount their posters, and present on April 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.)

• $100 Visa gift card

Judging Information:

Judging Criteria:

Judges will follow the Association of Schools of Pubic Health (ASPH) abstract/poster guidelines when reviewing abstracts and posters. 

1. Quality and clarity of presentation: Was the purpose of the research clearly stated? Why was this study done?
2. Philosophy and theory: What was the motivation for doing the research? Was the philosophy of the research or underlying theory described? Did the authors describe why the study was done?
3. Appropriateness of methods: Were the research methods described? For example: sampling, methodological design, statistical or analytic approach.
4. Evidence of supporting data: Were data (quantitative or qualitative) described? Note that the research does not have to be complete, i.e., this may be a work in progress.
5. Importance to public health and originality: Was the importance or relevance to public health described? Was this research original?

2-Step Judging Process: Abstract & Poster Awards-only

1. Round One: Abstracts

• Judges will review all participant abstracts. Abstracts will remain anonymous.
• They will score the abstracts and base their ratings on the criteria listed below.
• Abstracts will be judged within degree groupings; doctoral and master’s
• All participants will be notified of their judging status by April 1.
• All students who submit an abstract will present at Research Day on April 5.

2. Round Two: Posters & Short Presentations

• The top five abstract scores in each award group (doctoral and master’s) will move forward to step two of judging.
• The top five participants will need to:
• Present their posters during final judging on April 5, 8:30-10 a.m. A schedule will be created and sent to the participants prior to the event.
• Each participant will have five minutes to briefly summarize his/her research and how it relates to their poster.
• Judges will have three minutes to ask participants questions.

If any of the top five abstract participants don’t show up for final judging, they will automatically forfeit their award/prize eligibility.